mullah

Where does the word "mullah" come from? It comes from Arabic mawla, passing through Persian before entering English (1610s).

Mullah’s story begins in Arabic: mawla meant “master, patron.” From waliya, "he governed"; originally meant "master". By medieval, the word had taken hold in Persian as molla / mulla. Narrowed to a title for a learned religious scholar as it spread through Persian and Turkish courts. It reached English by 1610s as mullah. Adopted via Ottoman and Persian contacts. Today, mullah means a Muslim trained in Islamic theology and sacred law, often used as a title for a religious teacher or leader.

1. Stage 1 · Arabic · medieval mawla "master, patron", from waliya, "he governed"; originally meant "master".
2. Stage 2 · Persian · medieval molla / mulla "religious scholar", narrowed to a title for a learned religious scholar as it spread through Persian and Turkish courts.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1610s mullah "Muslim theologian and teacher of sacred law", adopted via Ottoman and Persian contacts.